As you can tell, I'm into NHRC repeater controllers. Here's another
project I've done with an NHRC-2. This has been on the air over 3
years without a problem. After a request, I dug up the 1997 e-mail where I
described the project. I'll try to take some pictures of the project
soon.

Directions to connect the NHRC-2 Controller to a GE Phoenix
mobile.

Did he say a Phoenix? Doesnt he mean two? Those radios cant
do duplex.

Yes, I did mean one Phoenix. But youre right, this isnt a duplex radio
or a duplex repeater How? Well, with the NHRC-2 controller.

In addition to being a neat low cost duplex controller, it has a simplex
mode. In this mode, it will store 20 seconds of audio and play it back when the
user unkeys. Perfect for a temporary repeater. It also does a CW ID to keep you
legal. You can remotely reprogram and control it.

The GE Phoenix is a low end, synthesized mobile radio. Since its not rock
bound, this can be a quick way to get a radio on the air fast. You WILL need a
friend with a programmer. Since the radio cant be on more than 50% of the
time, you shouldnt need to worry about lowering the power output.

Bill of Materials:

Part

Source

11 circuit terminal housing, .156

Digi-Key WM2109-ND

8 circuit terminal housing, .156

Digi-Key WM2106-ND

Pins for above

Digi-Key WM2300-ND

8 conductor cable, 10

Any, shielded would be nice

Hook up wire, about #22

Junk drawer

There is just one very simple mod you need to make inside the radio. You need
to being the CAS outside. Its just a wire, so dont panic.

In case you dont have a manual, J910 is the 11 pin connector on the rear.
Pin 1 is on the left as you look at FRONT of the radio, right side up. J911 is
the other, mostly microphone, 8 PIN connector. Also, Pin 1 is on the left as you
look at the front of the radio.

Take off the top of the radio. Look at the top board near the front for a
long pin labeled J921. Run a thin wire from here to the hole just behind J910,
Pin 5. This is designated as a spare lead. A touch of solder on each end
and youre done. Put the cover back on.

This lead goes high when the squelch is open. This is what the controller
needs to know to start recording. When the signal goes low, then the controller
will key up the radio and retransmit the audio it recorded.

Omit the DB-9 connector on the controller. Theres only a few inches
between the controller and the jack youll be using on the radio. Thanks to
nice engineering on both the radio and the controller, the interfacing is easy.
Just solder the wires into holes for the DB-9. As youre building it, take the
de-emphasis options.

I take the controller power from PIN 1, which is usually used for the
Ignition. At least in my radio, Pin 1 is jumpered to Pin 11, the high current
input lead. If yours isnt, get power from Pin 11.

DB 9 Connections

Signal

My Color Code

GE Phoenix rear connector

1

Ground

Black

J910 Pin 7 (GND)

2

13.8 V

Red

J910 Pin 1

3

PTT

Violet

J911 Pin 2

4

TX Audio

Blue

J911 Pin 4

5

RX Audio

Orange

J910 Pin 4

6

CAS +

White

J910 Pin 5

7

CAS -

Yellow

J910 Pin 8 (GND)

8

Ground

Green

J910 Pin 7 (GND)

9

Ground

Brown

J910 Pin 7 (GND)

n/c

Shield

J910 Pin 7 (GND)

In case you need it, the radios deviation control is R320 on the top
board, extreme right front corner.

The radio I used to design this hook up is a Phoenix VHF, 16 channel with
scan (N5HH1W40PB). Almost all the features go to waste in this application. I
would assume a simple version would work too. Let me know if you have one and if
it did work as I described.

I do need to bring up something in the rules. Heres what the FCC calls a
repeater:

§97.3 Definitions.

a. The definitions of terms used in Part 97 are:

37. Repeater. An amateur station that simultaneously retransmits the
transmission of another amateur station on a different channel or channels.

This set up will not be simultaneously transmitting. Yes, theres a up to a
20 second delay. BUT, many of the popular repeater controllers have a time delay
to help mute DTMF completely. Think about when these rules were written, cheap
time delays didnt exist. But, please read this for yourself and come up with
your own conclusion.

Thanks to the NHRC guys for their work on this controller. This project was fun to
build and the engineering that went into it far exceeds the standard ham radio
type of project. The web page support makes it an on-going development project.
I cant wait for the next release.